Growing Season

"Growing Season" by F. L. Wallace is a science fiction story that follows Richel Alsint, a plant scientist with a special hybrid plant meant to thrive in space, who finds himself in a struggle for survival aboard a tagging ship. As Alsint diligently nurtures his plant, he uncovers a potential plot against him, suspecting that his crewmates might want to end his work or even him. After surviving attempts on his life, he meets a talking red bird that holds the memories of past plant scientists left behind. Alsint ultimately discovers his purpose: to choose a life path away from a civilization focused mainly on machines, so he can find understanding with a group who value the balance between plants and where they grow.